Introduction For several centuries, during the colonial period, the Philippines has been severely immersed in foreign influences particularly by Spain, Japan and America. Consequently their culture, lifestyle, customs and fashion sense has been mainly defined by influences from these countries as well. However, before the colonization, Philippines has yet to establish its own identity; thus what became the Philippines’ foundation for instituting their nationalistic character was basically colonially inspired. Through the teachings and traditions shared by the colonizers to the country, the Philippines grew to be a very “foreign” country. The Filipino people however did try to determine their own Filipino character but not without incorporating the foreign characteristics they have acquired during the hundreds and hundreds of years they experienced with foreign powers. The Spanish Colonial Era was the longest colonization the Philippines was subjected under. Naturally, the country has picked up a lot of the Spaniard influences. Three hundred years under Spain’s rule brought about alterations and innovations to the Filipino way of life. Before the Spaniards came, the Filipino fashion style of the sixteenth century was mainly simple yet functional. During the Pre-Spanish colonization, the Filipino people were dressed up only with collarless shirts called “canga” and wraps known as “bahag” for their bottoms. However once the Spaniards came to the country, modifications were made on the Filipino fashion sense. What is now known as the Barong Tagalog is the result of the evolution of the “canga”. Laces, trimmings and adornments and collars were added to the simple collarless shirt. Embroidery and buttons also became apparent on the “canga”. While the “bahag” was then replaced with trousers. This is also the same for the female costume counterpart of the Barong Tagalog, the Baro’t Saya. The Spanish influence on the Baro’t Saya are seen in the designs and patterns of inticate embroidery. The Spanish colonial Era also introduced the use of hats and shoes as fashion staples in the Filipino style during the 1500’s to the 1800’s. After the Spaniards, the Americans were the next most influential factor in the evolution of the true Filipino style. Since the Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya were not practical to wear on a tropical country like the Philippines. The Filipino people opted to follow the American style of comfort. Thus, departing from the glamorous and voluminous silhouette of the Spanish. Layers and embroidery were lessened and the kinds of fabrics used were more comfortable like pure cotton. (Te, 2007). Because of these colonizations, the true Filipino fashion style ceased to exist. Now, at present the Filipino people are still struggling to establish their own fashion identity. There is no distinct Filipino fashion style since we are mainly dictated by foreign influences that dominates the fashion world; similarly the pioneers of Philippine fashion industry are also subjected to the same international influence. Thesis Statement

There is no distinct Filipino fashion style since we are mainly dictated by foreign influences that dominates the fashion world; similarly the pioneers of Philippine fashion industry are also subjected to the same international influence. Defining the Filipino Style

Tracing its origins, Filipinos had long since been very innovative and creative in the kind of clothes that they wear. The early settlers wore bahag, a loincloth commonly used by Filipino men before the European colonizers arrived. This is mostly used by indigenous tribes in the mountains, and until now, is still used in the Cordilllera Mountain. But this is not being looked down upon as a lowly garment as it is made of well-chosen materials, woven in intricate designs that are unique with each individual wearing it. The Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya are the country’s national costume. The barong is made of a variety...

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...﻿Summary:
Unhistorical Data
There are some narratives that have been previously accepted in PhilippineHistory as facts but later were found out to be historical errors.
Maragtas
It is the story about ten Malay datu from Borneo who settled into the Philippine Islands. According to the Maragtas at around 1250 A.D., ten Bornean Datu left their kingdom in search of new homes across the sea to escape the merciless rule of Sultan Makatunaw.
Led by Datu Puti, the Borneans landed in the island of Panay and bought the lowlands from the Ati king named Marikudo in exchange of the gold saduk (native hat) and a long gold necklace for Queen Maningwantiwan (Maniwangtiwan). After the land sale and pact of friendship, the Atis went to the hills. The Malay Datus settled in lowlands.
Datus Puti, Balensusa, and Dumangsil sailed northward to Luzon and landed in the region around Lake Bonbon (Taal).There they built their settlements. Dumangsil and Balensusa’s families occupied other neighboring regions now known as Laguna and the Bicol Peninsula. Datu Puti left Borneo after he knew that his men were leading peaceful lives.
The other seven Datu stayed in Panay. They divided the island into three districts. Hantik (now Antique) was under Datu Sumakwel. Datu Paiburong ruled Irong-irong (now Ilo-ilo). DatuBangkaya governed Aklan (now Aklan and Capiz).
Led by Datu Sumakwel, a political confederation of Barangays (Madya-as) was formed for purposes of...

...﻿PHILIPPINEHISTORY & GOVERNMENT
CRITICAL THINKING ANSWERS
So, Tiffany Ciriaco Sir Rolance Chua
1. Before the coming of the Spaniards in 16th century, economic activities were already taking place in the islands. The Pre-Hispanic settlers of the archipelago were economically self-sufficient. In agriculture, it is believe that the Banaue Rice Terraces may have been built which proves the early Filipinos’ skills in agriculture. Agriculture was the main source of livelihood in the pre-colonial Philippines there was an abundance of sugar cane, coconut, rice, cotton, hemp, and many species of fruits and vegetables. Fishing, due to the country’s long coastline and bodies of water, the early settlers always had an abundant catch of fishes, crustaceans, shrimps and shells. They used pointed spears, cages and fishnets in fishing. Lumbering, Shipbuilding and Seafaring, when the Spaniards arrived they found the early Filipinos’ ship to be of excellent quality. Weaving, native Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, pineapple, cotton, and bark cloth. Clothes, rugs, and hats were weaved. Baskets were also weaved and used as vessels of transport, storage, and for hunting. Domestic trade existed among the barangays and the islands. The Filipinos foreign trade was with China, Japan, Thailand, Borneo, and other islands of old Malaysia. Now, in modern time – agriculture is still the main source of livelihood, but because of the rapid...

...﻿History of the Philippines
The history of the Philippines is believed to have begun with the arrival of the first humans using rafts or primitive boats, at least 67,000 years ago as the 2007 discovery of Callao Man showed. Spanish colonization and settlement began with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's expedition on February 13, 1565 who established the first permanent settlement of San Miguel on the island of Cebu. The expedition continued northward reaching the bay of Manila on the island of Luzon on June 24, 1571, where they established a new town and thus began an era of Spanish colonization that lasted for more than three centuries. Spanish rule achieved the political unification of almost the whole archipelago, that previously had been composed by independent kingdoms, pushing back south the advancing Islamic forces and creating the first draft of the nation that was to be known as the Philippines. The Philippine Revolution against Spain began in August 1896, culminating the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. However, the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish–American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States. This agreement was not recognized by the insurgent First Philippine Republic Government which, on June 2, 1899, proclaimed a Declaration of War against the United States. The...

...﻿
Reflections on Fashion
‘‘Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.’
Oscar Wilde
Fashion. For some it is everything, it merely represents a way of living; for others, it is a living hell! To look like nobody else is a sufficiently mortifying reflection; to be in danger of being mistaken for one of the rabble is even worse. Fashion constantly begins and ends in the two things it detests most, singularity and vulgarity.
Every person nourishes an innate desire of looking good and feel ‘accepted’ in the socio-economic circle. The word fashion instantaneously brings to mind a flash of color with a dash of glamour. Women especially are taking to fashion in a big way, and are experimenting with different looks, styles, and textures.
Fashion plays an increasingly important role in an individual’s life because it is considered as a means of self-expression. The garments and accessories that men or women wear, help them identify with a group of others- whether it is a lifestyle, profession, a religion, or an attitude. Thus, the term ‘fashion’ has become synonymous with the overall growth of the country as
well.
There is nothing to be ashamed of being fashionable. But excess of everything is bad and should be avoided. To live in style, dress well- colorfully and smartly makes life lively,...

...Philippines is known to be rich in culture and heritage. The colonization of Western countries have greatly affected and contributed to the unique culture of the Philippines. Its culture is syncretic in a way that it embraces influences from other countries and reforms them to make it appropriate for the preferences of Filipinos. The same also goes for Philippinefashion. Though Filipinos are very fond of modern internationalfashion that most people imitate, their preferences for clothing are still molded by their own culture and affected by the values they embody.
There are a lot of things that contribute to make Philippinefashion known to other countries. Indigenous fabrics are appreciated for their utter exquisiteness and uniqueness and are therefore recognized around the world. Abaca, piña cloth and Philippine silk are just some of the examples which prove that indigenous fabrics can also be recognized both locally and internationally. Abaca is an essential fiber that is obtained from the outer layer of the overlapping sheaths of leaf that form the stalks of the abaca plant. This fiber is known for its strength and durability which makes it superior over other types of fabrics. It is then woven into sinamay fabric which is used to make garments. Piña is a fiber made out by pulling the fabric from the leaves of pineapple plant. Each fabric is carefully...

...the peak of luxury living for a select few.
REVOLUTION THAT INFLUENCED FASHION.
In 1900 Tailored made suits were firmly established.
Photography reached a great popularity.
First Narrative Film “The Great Train Robbery” [1903]
Wright Brothers were making aviation History.
Automobile Revolution.
Picasso Spanish Paints.
WOMEN IN KING EDWARDS ERA.
In 1900 tailored and tailor made suits were firmly established. Women entering more commercial workplace found it a useful all purpose outfit. Men objected to the tailor made female suit as they saw it representing a challenge to their authority. But Women seemed to be making a clear statement that they deserved and wanted more independence in the future. The tailor made was called a costume or a suit and made of wool or serge. Middle and upper class women wore them with shirtwaist blouses.
Around 1908, the fashion houses of Paris began to show a new silhouette, with a thicker waist, flatter bust, and narrower hips. By the end of the decade the most fashionable skirts cleared the floor and approached the ankle. The overall silhouette narrowed and straightened, beginning a trend that continuedinto the years leading up to the Great War.
STYLE GALLERY 1900-1910.
Charles Dana Gibson’s Cartoonist character “Gibson Girl”
Her clothes were fashionable in both America and Britain and set a fashion for the...

...﻿Fashion in the Middle Ages
May 31–August 14, 2011 at the Getty Center
Clothes are far more than a physical covering to protect the body from the elements; they can reveal much about a person. An evening gown, a doctor's white coat, cowboy boots—today these can all be clues to social status, profession, or geographic origin.
In the Middle Ages, clothing was integral to identifying one's place in the world. Medieval people were highly skilled at reading the meaning of fashion, which is reflected throughout the painted pages of illuminated manuscripts.
In Philosophy Presenting the Seven Liberal Arts to Boethius, female personifications of philosophy and the seven liberal arts are portrayed in a range of late medieval fashions.
Themes in this exhibition range from the extravagant cost of clothing worn by the elite, to styles and fabrics permitted by custom and law, to the inventiveness that embellishes historical depictions of fashion.
Material Wealth
While at times containing fanciful or idealized images of clothing, manuscript illuminations often reflect the actual styles and fabrics of the Middle Ages, as well as the economic factors behind them.
For the medieval viewer, color and material provided essential information about the social status of the figures on the page. For example, scholars wore red robes that carried the additional prestige associated with the high cost of crimson dye....